In this episode, Jillian Fickert of Buckingham Companies joins Anne Baum and Chris Johnson for a practical conversation about what it really takes to make marketing a trusted, strategic function inside a multifamily organization.

They explore how marketing leaders can move beyond the “cost center” label by building credibility through transparency, shared language, and clear performance visibility. Jillian shares specific ways her team creates alignment across marketing, asset management, and operations—and why those relationships matter just as much as the tactics.

You’ll hear about:

• How to reposition marketing as a business driver, not an expense
• Creating standardized budget guides and shared glossaries to reduce friction
• Running inclusive weekly performance calls that bring teams together
• Aligning on shared KPIs to support operational goals
• Breaking down silos to create a more cohesive customer journey

The big takeaway: long-term marketing impact isn’t just about better campaigns—it’s about strong cross-functional relationships, a common understanding of the business, and consistent communication.

If you’re trying to build stronger trust between marketing and operations, this episode offers a clear, actionable starting point.

Flamingo - Resident Retention App
400K+ units use Flamingo’s Resident Retention Platform to stop Retention Leak & hit 63%+ retention.

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In this episode of The Apartment Department, Anne and Chris sit down with D.D. Cobb, Regional Director at Apartments.com, to unpack how the apartment search has fundamentally changed.

Today’s renters are making decisions long before they ever tour a property. Powered by AI, mobile-first search, and radically different expectations around transparency, the traditional prospect journey is being replaced by a digital-first experience where research happens early and intent forms fast.

D.D. shares what this shift means for multifamily marketers, including why lead volume is becoming a less reliable metric, how exposure and engagement better reflect influence, and what operators need to understand about fee transparency, mobile optimization, and visual content. The conversation also grounds the future of marketing in a simple truth: even as technology evolves, fundamentals like comfort, air conditioning, and pet-friendly living still matter.

Flamingo - Resident Retention App
400K+ units use Flamingo’s Resident Retention Platform to stop Retention Leak & hit 63%+ retention.

Find more of The Apartment Department exclusively on our Substack. Subscribe for articles and new episodes straight to your inbox.

In this episode Anne and Chris sit down with Kara Rafferty, National Director of Sales at Apartment Geo-Fencing, for a long-anticipated conversation on what collaboration in multifamily really looks like.

Kara brings a wide-ranging perspective shaped by years on the vendor side of the industry, deep involvement with apartment associations, and a passion for building relationships that go beyond transactions. The conversation explores the shared responsibility between vendors and operators, the importance of transparency and respect, and why defaulting to blame or rigid marketing templates often misses the bigger picture.

The group also dives into Kara’s approach to brand awareness, including the role of streaming TV, geo-fencing, and video in reaching renters earlier in their decision-making process. Throughout the discussion, she challenges marketers to move from “checkers to chess” by prioritizing creativity, storytelling, and differentiation in an increasingly crowded landscape.

The episode wraps with a look at the Multifamily Marketing Hive, a community Kara helped co-found to encourage open learning and idea sharing without a sales agenda, reinforcing the central theme of collaboration as a driver of better outcomes for the industry.

Flamingo - Resident Retention App
400K+ units use Flamingo’s Resident Retention Platform to stop Retention Leak & hit 63%+ retention.

Find more of The Apartment Department exclusively on our Substack. Subscribe for articles and new episodes straight to your inbox.